World Championship
One of the slowest rolling laps ever was followed by some of the most chaotic opening laps ever seen in a World Final. At the drop of the green, Andy Smith surged into the lead. The first bend saw the bumpers go in and positions change, but Smith still led going down the back straight and was hit by Rob Speak going into turn three. There was then a big pile up on turns one and two, the yellows coming out for Dutchman Ouwe Biljstra (H3) who had been caught up in the middle.
Peter Falding had made a good start and was second as they came to a stop under the yellows, followed by backmarkers Quentin Saayman (SA1), Simon Gill, and John Lund, who had looked hesitant at the start, preferring to let the others throw the bumper about while he kept out of the way.
Behind Lund was Kev Smith, then Frankie Wainman Junior, Dave Johnson, and Rob Speak. Speak was quick to make his move on the restart, and within a couple of laps was past Wainman, who retook the place a lap later. Wainman then challenged a stubborn Kev Smith, the two cars momentarily tangling before Wainman cut across the infield to rejoin the track on the back straight in front of the 64 car.
Smith was straight in with the bumper, but got caught up with Speak, both cars careered onto the infield then back onto the track, Speak narrowly missing the passing 515 car. Australian Dean Hawkins (AUS1) span coming off turn 4 in front of the leader, Smith just avoiding disaster.
Falding went around the outside of the stricken AUS1 car, Lund then came through on the inside to take second. A few laps later and Lund appeared to be closing, but the 391 car then ran wide and slowed. Lund was through, with Smith then retiring to the infield. Falding crashed out in a heap, which also snared Junior. Frankie’s race ended a lap or two later when Speak cannoned a backmarker into the 515 car which then collided with the armco before retiring.
Speak was now established in second place, although he had a half lap deficit from Lund. Kev Smith gave Rick Standrige (USA1) a big hit, which he followed up with a similar hit on Gary Castell, which span the 247 car into the fence. As the lap boards came out, Lund found himself behind the 64 car, and with a massive lead over Speak, decided to play it safe and stay behind Smith, just in case Kev decided that his next target was number 53.
At this point Lund looked to be home and dry, but with three to go, Dutchman Louw Wobbes (H22) and Australian Dean Hawkins (AUS43) crashed out coming off turn two, directly in front of the leader. The 53 car braked hard and clattered the armco, but kept going. Standrige, Dave Willis, and Ron Kroonder piled into the stricken cars, and Speak was also momentarily delayed.
Lund managed to avoid any further drama over the remaining two laps and took the flag. Defending champion Speak was runner up, with Mark Gilbank awarded third place, Dave Johnson fourth, and Kev Smith fifth. This came as a bit of a surprise, as Gilbank had lost time early on. However, there could be no doubt about the winner, who has now won 8 World Titles in the space of 16 years.
| World Finalists | |
|---|---|
| 1. | 515 Frankie Wainman |
| 2. | 391 Andy Smith |
| 3. | 318 Rob Speak |
| 4. | 53 John Lund |
| 5. | H29 Durk Greidanus |
| 6. | H22 Louw Wobbes |
| 7. | 21 Mark Gilbank |
| 8. | 33 Peter Falding |
| 9. | 35 Neil Shenton |
| 10. | 180 Ray Witts |
| 11. | AUS43 Dean Hawkins |
| 12. | H84 Mark Woudenburg |
| 13. | 97 Murray Harrison |
| 14. | 335 Mark Woodhull |
| 15. | 64 Kev Smith |
| 16. | 383 Dave Johnson |
| 17. | NZ74 Darrel Manson |
| 18. | H3 Ouwe Bijlsma |
| 19. | 290 Simon Gill |
| 20. | 380 Steve Cayzer |
| 21. | 38 Jason Holden |
| 22. | 343 Barry Heath |
| 23. | NZ7 Neil McCoard |
| 24. | H217 Ron Kroonder |
| 25. | 137 Andy Jacklin |
| 26. | 337 Dave Willis |
| 27. | 247 Gary Castell |
| 28. | 73 Rob Cowley |
| 29. | H240 Henk-Jan Ronitz |
| 30. | SA1 Quintin Saayman |
| 31. | 490 Mark Taylor |
| 32. | USA1 Rick Standridge |